Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz took a big step toward returning to a major league mound on Saturday evening at the Double-A level.

According to Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com, the promising young southpaw hurled six scoreless innings for Double-A Bowie, surrendering just three hits and one walk in an impressive rehab start.

The Orioles will either ask Matusz to A.) make one more rehab appearance to drive up his pitch count or B.) they’ll activate him late next week and throw him right into the fire. He made just 70 total throws on Saturday for Bowie, so it’s possible Baltimore will play it safe and lean toward option A.

Matusz, 24, opened the season on the disabled list and has not yet made a start in the 2011 season. He went 7-3 with a 3.63 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over his final 14 starts of 2010 and faces lofty long-term expectations.